Chapter 3

I was sweating a lot while bench-pressing at the gym. I was so immersed in thought that I just wanted to forget what was happening.

_ Damn Adam!? Since when did you start working out with so much weight? - Evan said approaching me.

Evan was a good gym buddy that I had. One of the most kind-hearted people that I found after I started working on myself. He actually helped me get in shape, understand my own body, and how to properly eat and stay healthy.

_ If you keep this up I might want to take a bite at you. - he said helping me up from the bench.

He was also very gay.

_ I didn't even notice the weight. I was just trying to take my mind off work.

_ Oh honey. What happened?

_ Well, I think I told you about this before, but there was this girl who used to bully me in college...

_ Yeah, I remember her. - He said leaning to the side and crossing his strong arms, clearly bothered.

_ So, she started working in my company today.

He gasped while covering his mouth.

_ The wicked witch of the west?! - He said in a whisper. - She is back?

_ In a sense, yeah. - I said while sighing. - She is not on my team, but she is close. Close enough that all of the memories came back.

_ Oh dear - he said looking at me as if he was worried. - And how are you dealing with it?

I looked back at the weight on the bench press and realized that I had just broken my personal record.

_ Not well I think. - I said.

_ Uhum. - He said following my line of sight.

We stood there in silence for a moment before Evan jolted back.

_ And what is your plan?

_ What do you mean?

_ You don't have a plan? - He asked seeming shocked. He put his hand on his chest and used his best diva pose to roast me. - So a college bully comes back to your life and you don't have a plan to deal with her?

_ I mean, it just happened. I haven't got the time to plan anything. I never expected her to come back to my life. - I said honestly.

_ Oh honey. - Evan snapped his fingers 2 times in front of my face. - That is not how we deal with our bullies. We always have a plan in case they come back to our lives. You store it in your head, write it down in an old notebook, or email your best friend in case something happens to you.

_ That is oddly specific... - I said with a small smile.

_ Yeah, duh! - He said smiling back. - That is because these are my plans. Or do you think this rocking body was made only for me to look good?

_ I thought so?! - I said without actually getting the point he was trying to make.

_ Nah ah. - He said snapping his fingers again in front of my face. - This body is for them to know that I can break their bones in case they try to mock me again. Yeah, try to say I am girly again Justin! - He said to no one in particular.

I started to laugh. Evan usually knew what to say to make someone feel better. And it was working. I should have done something to her, but I wasn't looking for revenge.

_ So what should I do? I mean, I don't want to make anything bad to her, but maybe I should say something to HR.

_ Why do you say that?

_ Well, back in the day they said some things and posted some pictures of me around the campus. And although it was a joke, people could have believed them.

_ Oh yeah the fliers. - he said holding his chin and thinking for a moment. - She was kinda awful with that.

_ Yeah. I was thinking that she might tell this story to other people and they would believe that I was creep.

_ I haven't thought of that. But it does sound like something that she would do.

_ It does? - I asked a little surprised. I was used to being a little paranoid, but having people believe me was kinda new.

_ Yeah! I mean, think about it: she did all those things to you without any provocation right?

_ Yeah.

_ Did you ask her out or tried anything "creep"? - He asked making the air quotes with his fingers.

_ No. I didn't even saw her like that at the time.

_ So she did it because she wanted to. She knew that you were fragile and she wanted to get it out on you. Sometimes that is all that a Bully needs: Someone weak who will not fight back.

Evan grabbed me by the shoulders and looked into my eyes. He was taller and more muscular than me, so his green eyes were piercing when he said:

_ Do not show any weakness. Don't let her smell blood, because she will attack.

I swallowed while glancing at him. Not because of him, but because of what he was implying.

If I left all of this unattended, things could turn sour. I was hoping to avoid a fight, but apparently, I should strike first.

I wasn't prepared for that, but I should.